San Antonio International Airport [SAT] – Ultimate Terminal Guide

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) serves as the main commercial airport for the San Antonio metropolitan area. It is a hub for several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. It provides direct flights to domestic and international destinations, including Mexico and Canada, and serves around 10 million passengers annually.

SAT is about 8 miles from downtown San Antonio, making it easily accessible for travelers.

Quick Information

Airport: San Antonio International Airport [SAT]
Terminals: 2 terminals — A and B
Airport Address: 9800 Airport Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78216
Distance From Downtown San Antonio: Approximately 8 miles (13 km)
Website: flysanantonio.com
Phone Number: 210-207-3433
Destinations Served: 5 international, 37 domestic
Flight Information: View departures and arrival information on the airport’s website

SAT Terminal Map

Airlines Operating From SAT

Terminal A

Terminal B

SAT Airport Terminals

San Antonio International Airport is easily accessible from I-410 or the McAllister Freeway, with airport traffic looping counter-clockwise around the parking garages and surface lots. The roadway provides split-level access to the upper and lower levels of the terminal for curbside drop-off and pick-up.

The 2 terminals are housed inside 1 main building, with passengers able to walk freely between Terminals A and B on the ticketing and arrivals levels. With a security checkpoint at the entrance of each concourse, movement between concourses is restricted once inside the secure area.

Terminal A

Terminal A is at the southeast end of the terminal and serves domestic and international flights.

Lower Level – Arrivals

Terminal A arrivals is on the lower level, along with Customs and Border Protection for international arrivals and a couple of information desks. Ground transportation services are located outside at the outer curb, and passengers can take the elevator down 1 level to access the underground walkway to the terminal parking garage.

Upper Level – Check-in and Departures

Airline ticketing is in the main lobby on the upper level, and there’s a shop and café for waiting visitors. The security checkpoint is at the east end of the terminal, leading through to the departures concourse on the same level.

Terminal A has 17 gates located across the north and south concourses. As you enter security, gates A1 to A7 are ahead and to the right in the south concourse, and gates A8 to A17 are to the left in the north concourse.

There’s a good range of shops and restaurants across both concourse areas and a food court as you come through security.

Terminal B

Terminal B is connected to Terminal A in the northwest area of the main building and is home to American Airlines and United Airlines.

Lower Level – Arrivals

Terminal B arrivals is on the lower level, with the baggage claim carousels, an information desk, and a USO Lounge. Ground transportation is located outside arrivals on the outer curb, and there’s a pet relief area at the far end of the arrivals curb.

Upper Level – Departures

Airline ticketing is available on the upper level of Terminal B, along with a chapel and ATM. Passengers arriving or departing from the parking garage or rental car facility can take the escalator up 1 level to the mezzanine to access a pedestrian bridge to this facility.

The security checkpoint is at the entrance to Concourse B with 8 gates numbered B1 to B8. There’s a food court after you clear security and a few more options towards the far end of the concourse.

Shops are available throughout the concourse, and a United Club is located between gates B3 and B5.

Inter-terminal Transport

SAT is not a large airport, and its 2 adjoining terminals and straightforward layout make connections pretty easy. Passengers can walk between the 2 terminals outside the secure area on both levels, but once clearing security, they are restricted to the facilities within that concourse.

All passengers moving between concourses must clear security at the next concourse, including those with flight connections.

It’s around 0.4 miles between the 2 furthest points of the airport. With no moving walkways, you should allow extra time or seek assistance from your airline if you have mobility issues.

Security and Customs at SAT

San Antonio International Airport has 2 security checkpoints, with 1 located on the departures level in each terminal area.

Both checkpoints open at 3:30 a.m. and close around 30 minutes before the final departure of the day.

TSA PreCheck

SAT has dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at both security checkpoints, available during these hours:

There’s no TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center at SAT, with the nearest location at IdentoGO, 18360 Blanco Rd., Ste. 130, San Antonio, TX 78258-4037.

Once your application has been approved, you’ll have a Known Traveler Number to use at any U.S. airport with TSAPrecheck lanes.

Global Entry

SAT has Global Entry kiosks for pre-approved passengers arriving in the U.S. on international flights.

The airport has a Global Entry Enrollment Center located in Terminal A arrivals that is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mobile Passport

Mobile Passport Control is not accepted at San Antonio International Airport.

SAT Airport Lounges

SAT has just 1 airline lounge and 1 lounge accessible to the military and their dependents.

* Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.

Hot Tip: Are you interested in visiting an airline lounge without paying the day pass fee? Check out this article on the best credit cards for lounge access.

Priority Pass Access

There are no lounges at San Antonio Airport that accept Priority Pass.

Hot Tip: Find out about Priority Pass membership and see which airports accept it for lounge access in our in-depth Priority Pass article.

Airport Dining and Drinks at SAT

SAT has 20+ restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go food kiosks, including a Starbucks and Boss Bagels.

These are mostly available in the departure concourses, with just a few options outside the secure area. Plan your visit by checking out the dining options available on the airport’s website.

SAT Airport Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout San Antonio International Airport and its departure concourses.

Charging Stations: Stations are located throughout the terminals in the following locations:

• Terminal A: Near gate A4, A8, A12, and in the baggage claim area
• Terminal B: Before and after the security checkpoint, near gates B1A, and B1, between gates B4 and B6, and in baggage claim

Hot Tip: Not every airport has free Wi-Fi. Make sure you’re always connected with one of the best portable Wi-Fi hotspots for travel.

SAT Airport Lost and Found

SAT’s process for reporting lost items is pretty straightforward:

• Contact the applicable airline if you misplaced an item on an aircraft.
• For lost items anywhere else on airport property, contact the lost and found office at 210-207-3451 or report it online.

Additional Airport Information

Travelers Aid

Travelers Aid International is not based at SAT. Passengers can get information and assistance from volunteer ambassadors based on the information desks located at:

• Terminal A: Near the ticketing desks as you come into baggage claim and near the escalators in the baggage claim
• Terminal B: Opposite the ticketing desks and near the chapel

Children’s Play Areas

SAT has a children’s play area in Terminal A near gate A16. Your little ones may also love petting the therapy dogs that roam the airport as part of its Pups & Planes program. Despite these kid-friendly attractions, San Antonio International Airport didn’t make our most kid-friendly airports in the U.S.

Baby Facilities

Nursing rooms are located in these areas:

• Terminal A: In the ticketing lobby near the restrooms and near gate A16
• Terminal B: In the food court

Pet Relief Areas

Pet relief areas are located in these areas:

• Terminal A: Near gate A14
• Terminal B: Near gate B6 and at the north end of the arrivals curb

Hot Tip: Check out which airports made our list of top pet-friendly airports.

Duty-free

Duty-free shopping is available in Terminal A, opposite gate A6.

Smoking Areas

A designated smoking area is outside Terminal B at the north end of the building.

Prayer

SAT has a chapel at the north end of Terminal B on the departures level.

Money

ATMs are located in both terminals, in the following locations:

• Terminal A:
  • As you enter baggage claim from a flight
  • Opposite the Delta Air Lines ticketing desk
  • Near gate A4
  • Opposite gate A6
  • Opposite gate A12
• Terminal B:
  • Near the USO Lounge
  • Near baggage carousel 1
  • At the north end of the terminal on the arrivals level
  • Near the entrance to the security checkpoint
  • After security
  • Between gates B3 and B5

Currency exchange is available in Terminal A opposite the Southwest Airlines ticketing desk and in Terminal B near the ticketing area escalators.

Medical Center

There is no medical center at SAT.

Luggage

There are no on-site storage services for luggage.

Important SAT Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 210-207-3433

Travel to and From SAT

Transportation Options From SAT

Ground transportation services are located on the ground level outside Terminal A and B arrivals. Some services are available outside the terminals, with others on the outer curb.

Bus

• VIA (Buses Stop at the North End Outside Terminal B):
  • Route 5 operates between San Antonio International Airport and downtown San Antonio via the North Star Transit Center. Buses operate every 20 minutes Monday through Friday and roughly every hour Saturday and Sunday.
  • Route 7 operates between the Stone Oak Park & Ride garage at 22139 US-281 and the airport. Passengers may park their vehicles for free and pay $2.60 to ride the bus. Buses operate every 30 minutes Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Charter Bus: The airport recommends several charter bus companies available to prebook.

Taxi

Taxis are available from the outer curb of Terminal A arrivals, with ground transportation agents assisting passengers. A taxi from the airport to downtown San Antonio costs $24 to $29.

Hotel Shuttles

Several hotels provide free shuttles to and from the airport, with pick-up and drop points outside baggage claim.

Ride Services

Uber, Lyft, Wingz, and Wridz are all authorized to operate from SAT. Rideshare drivers may drop passengers at curbside departures and pick them up from zones 1 to 3 on the outer curb of arrivals.

Driving to SAT

Arriving From Downtown San Antonio

Take I-37 N/US-281 N for around 7 miles and then take the exit towards S.A. Int’l Airport.

Arriving From Downtown Austin

Take I-35 S for around 70 miles and use the right 2 lanes to take exit 166 for I-410 W. Continue onto I-410 W and exit 21 for US-281 towards Airport/I-37/San Antonio/Johnson City. Keep left, follow signs for Airport Blvd./SA Int’l Airport/Jones-Maltsberger Rd. and merge onto I-410 Access Rd./NE Interstate 410 Loop. Turn right onto Airport Blvd.

SAT Airport Parking Information

Official Airport Parking

San Antonio International Airport offers a range of parking options for travelers, including a parking garage, uncovered surface lots, and valet parking services.

Short-term Parking

The short-term parking garage is adjacent to the terminal building and offers covered parking with direct access to the terminal via covered walkways. Parking rates are:

Valet Parking

Valet parking is available on level 0 of the parking garage or curbside outside Terminal A. The following rates apply:

Long-term Parking

The long-term parking garage and a surface lot are behind the short-term parking garage, and passengers can walk through the short-term garage to reach these lots. The following rates apply:

Hot Tip: Electric charging points are available in short and long-term parking garages and require passenger registration.

The economy green and red lots are around half a mile from the terminal building and offer the most affordable parking. Passengers can ride the courtesy shuttle buses to and from these lots from outside the terminal. The following rates apply:

Pick-up or Drop-off Parking

SAT has a cell phone waiting lot situated a block off 410/Airport Blvd. Visitors may wait (and use the free Wi-Fi) in this parking lot until passengers are ready for curbside pickup.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Off-site parking lots can often be a much cheaper alternative to airport parking if you’re happy to travel a little further out on a courtesy shuttle bus. Off-site parking can easily be booked on airportparkingreservations.com. But with starting rates of $7.95, in this instance, parking is around the same cost when booked at the airport.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Accessible parking spaces can be found in all terminal and surface parking lots. The airport offers up to 24 hours of free parking for vehicles displaying a state-issued disabled license plate or on completion of a parking validation form.

Hot Tip: Explore our guide to flying with a disability to help you plan, pack, and feel confident for your trip.

Parking Contact Numbers

General Parking Inquiries: 210-207-3465

Car Rental at SAT Airport

The car rental facility is opposite the airport terminals in the lobby of the short-term parking garage. From the terminal, passengers can take the elevator to the mezzanine level and walk across the sky bridge to the facility.

Rental Companies on Airport Property

Hot Tip: Read about the credit cards that include car rental insurance to avoid paying for expensive insurance through the rental provider. 

SAT Airport Hotels

There are plenty of hotels around a 1-2 mile radius of San Antonio International Airport, with many located along I-410. Most are 2- and 3-star hotels, offering a comfortable stay for business and leisure travelers.

SAT Airport Hotels – Sorted by Distance From SAT

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for somewhere different to stay, check out the best boutique hotels in San Antonio. 

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

Around half a mile from the airport, Embassy Suites San Antonio Airport is one of the closest hotels to SAT and provides a free shuttle service to and from the airport. Rates include a made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception, including drinks and snacks. Guests can access the business center, indoor pool, and fitness center. Hilton Honors members can book this hotel from 39,000 Hilton Honours points per night.

The SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Antonio Airport is located near Loop 410 for quick access to San Antonio International Airport. Perfect for families, couples, or business travelers, SpringHill Suites is just a 15-minute drive to Downtown San Antonio and is within easy reach of many other attractions, including SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Marriott Bonvoy members can book a room from 15,500 points per night.

The Days Inn by Wyndham San Antonio Airport has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free parking (including oversized vehicles) as well as free tea, coffee, and a breakfast item. Guests can hop on the free shuttle bus to and from the airport, just a short ride away. Wyndham Rewards members can book a room with 15,000 points per night.

Final Thoughts

Pre-pandemic, San Antonio International Airport saw steady year-over-year passenger growth and has recovered quickly compared to other U.S. airports. To accommodate the growing needs of SAT, the city council recently signed off on its new terminal development plan to commence in 2024.

The developments will include a new Terminal C, adding 17 new gates and additional concession space, improved roadway access, and a consolidated security checkpoint providing access to all 3 concourses.